97 Students from 29 Countries Join the Inaugural Class

During the first days of September, 97 pioneering students from 29 countries arrived on campus to form at African Leadership Academy’s Inaugural Class. Hailing from all corners of the continent, the Inaugural Class brings an incredibly diverse range of interests and achievements. They are entrepreneurs, academics, musicians, artists, activists, engineers, playwrights, and athletes. Each has played a transformative role in his or her community, and African Leadership Academy will prepare these amazing young leaders to ‘dream bigger’ and catalyze widespread positive change across the continent.

At Opening Day on September 3, the students gathered in the ALA auditorium to hear short speeches from Founder Fred Swaniker and Dean Chris Khaemba and meet ALA’s amazing faculty from around the world. They then raised the African Leadership Academy flag above campus for the first time to signify the official opening of the institution. Later, the students established a new ALA tradition by planting a “class tree” on the grounds.

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